Arantxa King's record-breaking performance in the triple jump in the US over the weekend could launch what the Stanford University student hopes will be an outstanding season.

The Bermudian, who represented the Island at last August's Beijing Olympics, smashed the old mark at the Mountain Pacific Conference Indoor Championships at the University of Washington campus, with a leap of 12.90 metres (42 feet, one inch) to beat 16 other jumpers, having earlier placed third in the long jump.

But the daughter of top athlete and coach Branwen Smith-King and Cup Match cricketer Adrian King, thinks she has a lot more to offer in both disciplines.

Her national record, confirmed by Bermuda Track and Field Association yesterday, helped her university earn the necessary points to win the women's title at the meet.

However, Bermuda's former Athlete of the Year was quick to play down her achievement with the outdoor season on the horizon.

"The track meet was interesting on the girls' side which we won," said King yesterday. "My performances were good but I can still be a bit better.

"On Friday, I took part in the long jump, but it didn't go too well with my run-up being off.

"It was a little disappointing but the next day I went to do the triple jump, although I wasn't supposed to do it but because the team needed the points I went out and did the job.

"It was my first time triple jumping in six months, so I was a little nervous due to my knees and so forth. But I wasn't expecting anything, just to pick up the points.

"It started to go well and I thought a good jump would do the trick and in the end we won the meet."

Involved in the competition were the majority of the Pacific-10 (Pac-10) conference teams including the University of Washington, Washington State University, UCLA and the University of Southern California, along with a few other schools form the area

King says she is now looking to make a big splash this year with the US Nationals her goal.

"I always have high expectations," she added. "This season has been a little difficult, especially indoors because I have only participated in two meets due to injury.

"I will compete in a last chance meet for the Nationals next week, but if indoors doesn't work out I won't be totally disappointed because I really haven't had many opportunities.

"But outdoors I will be looking to improve in all aspects and hopefully will be jumping consistently in the 21s."

Former Bermuda track star Donna Watson said yesterday she believed King was on the right track to achieving her goal of competing in the 2012 London Olympics after her sterling performance over the weekend.

Watson noted that King's latest milestone would help her as she goes forward in the international arena.

"We are very excited that Aranxta is jumping this well so early in the season," said Watson. "We have confirmed that she broke the Bermuda triple jump record.

"We have to also recognise that this is an indoor track meet and you usually get even better results once you start competing outdoors.

"I feel this positions her very good for the international track meets that are scheduled throughout the summer track season.

"Aranxta's jumps are lining up with the four-year preparation plan towards the next Olympics in 2012.

"It is now just a matter of Aranxta staying healthy with no injuries and she should have a great track season with the Caribbean Games in July and World Championships in August.

"Unfortunately she is too old for Carifta (Games) but this definitely would have put her in medal contention."